The manuscript is in general well written and structured. It addresses a relevant topic in the offshore wind sector and presents a novel optimization tool for the layout planning of floating offshore wind farms. My comments are mainly of minor nature and are aimed to enhance the scientific quality of the research article.

The author introduces in the first chapter of the manuscript the topic and briefly explains the importance of research on cost reduction potentials for floating offshore wind. However, the introduction section is lacking of a literature review on already performed research in this area, which is generally required for a scientific paper. The author is therefore asked to include a literature review on published research papers and to explain the novelty of his work and the main differences of the developed optimization algorithm with respect to already published optimization models for bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind farms.

On page 5 of the manuscript, it is described that the objective function takes into account the AEP multiplied by the efficiency of the layout-variable production losses. The AEP does change with the location and it is understood that it includes wake losses. However, the article does not mention the methodology and tools that are being used to determine the AEP. Please include a description on the methodology used for determining the AEP and wake losses. Furthermore, it is understood that the AEP is impacted by 2 factors in the model, which are the electrical losses and the availability losses. Please include an equation with the relation between AEP and the two efficiencies. The manuscript only presents the total efficiency ntot.

Chapter 2.3 describes briefly the applied optimization algorithm and explains the reasons for choosing the algorithm. However, the process and methodology of the algorithm is not described. It would be  interesting for the reader to know how the algorithm has been implemented and to describe the methodology that the optimization algorithm uses to find the optimal solution. A flow chart could be used to show the optimization algorithm process.

Finally, the author may consider for future research on this topic to include in the optimization tool further constraints such as shipping routes, environmental protected or sensitive areas, fishery zones, etc., which are typically considered in a wind farm layout development.

The manuscript does a very good job presenting a novel method for floating offshore wind farms design and optimization. This is a novel and relevant work, which sheds light on different aspects of a multidisciplinary problem. The paper is in general clear and well-structured. The method is detailed and fills many gaps between fixed bottom and floating wind farm designs.

I added my detailed comments in the pdf attached.